Tendulkar drives India towards lead

Sachin Tendulkar hit his 52nd Test fifty as India ended the second day in Hamilton in control against New Zealand. Photograph: Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images

Half-centuries to Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar allowed India to gain the upper hand in the first Test against New Zealand in Hamilton today. The tourists reached stumps on the second day on 278 for four, one run behind the Black Caps’ first-innings total.

Tendulkar was unbeaten on 70 with Yuvraj Singh eight not out when bad light stopped play as India moved smoothly towards the hosts’ 279.

New Zealand enjoyed some early success when a direct hit by James Franklin resulted in the run-out of Virender Sehwag in the third over of the day after India resumed on 29 without loss.

Sehwag had faced three deliveries when he was called for a risky second run after Gambhir had pushed a Kyle Mills delivery wide of gully, but he was well short of his ground and out after adding two to his overnight 22.

New Zealand could not make any further inroads in the first session, however, as Gambhir posted his 10th half-century in 97 balls and at lunch India were 108 for one. The 105-run second-wicket stand ended when Gambhir (72) edged Chris Martin to Brendon McCullum to leave India 142 for two.

Dravid reached his 54th Test fifty with his 10th four and added 16 more before being bowled by Iain O’Brien to leave India at 177 for three.

Tendulkar and VVS Laxman made it through to tea with the visitors at 197 without further loss. But in the first over with the second new ball, Laxman edged a Martin delivery to Ross Taylor in the slips to out for 30 and with India on 238. It was the final wicket to fall in the day as Tendulkar went on to claim his 52nd Test half-century with a cover drive off Martin.

For New Zealand, Mills finished with figures of none for 70 off 15 overs. Martin enjoyed the most success, taking two for 53 from 20 overs, while O’Brien took one for 56. Jesse Ryder, who hit a maiden Test century yesterday, bowled five maidens in his seven overs which cost 10 runs.